Villa Marie Claire in
Saddle River (NJ)

We are so grateful for the compassionate care my mother-in-law has received at Villa Marie Claire. From the moment she arrived, the entire staff has shown kindness, patience, and genuine love not only to her but to our entire family. The nurses and caregivers are attentive to every detail, making sure she is comfortable and cared for with dignity and respect. The atmosphere here is peaceful and comforting, which has been such a blessing during this difficult time. The staff takes the time to explain things to us, listen to our concerns, and offer support that goes far beyond medical care—it truly feels like a family. We could not have asked for a more caring and supportive environment. Knowing that my mother-in-law is surrounded by people who treat her with such compassion brings us comfort and peace of mind. We will forever be thankful for the incredible team here.

Beautiful hospice location. They have a chef who will kindly cook up what’s asked as long as supplies are available for them. Breakfast lunch and dinner served as well as desert. Everyone is super kind. Very quiet and peaceful. They have a swimming pool, benches to sit and watch the view, flowers, free parking lot, horses, they even have board games. A nice deck to sit and also watch the views. 100/100!

My family would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude toward Villa Marie Claire for taking such OUTSTANDING care for Dad. We can't express our gratitude enough from Dr. V, to Father Frank, and the entire staff all the nurses Jess, Jean, Annie, Yara, all of you WOW, what heart filled individuals who were all so unique in there own way and sincere to make Dad's end of life experience so peaceful and comfortable. Dad passed away about a month ago and looking back at the 8 days Dad was there, Villa Marie Clare is beyond words can describe as far as being comfortable the cleanliness the etiquette and respect that everyone had was absolutely amazing. It was very painful and upsetting to see Dad go through all the suffering and pain from the cancer he had, but we all knew he was in the BEST place for his end of life, words can not give enough credit but the experience as a family was overwhelming with all Villa Marie Claire's staff and professionals. The chef's there go above and beyond to make sure you get to eat during your time there as well. We would HIGHLY recommend this facility to anyone, you will not be disappointed. The director Patrick takes so much pride, care, and perfection to this facility and goes above and beyond with his entire staff to make sure the patient and family are beyond comfortable and follows up with everyone that he interacts with on a daily basis. We would like to say THANK YOU TO ALL who are part of Villa Marie Clare and can't express enough for all that you did for Dad. We love all of you and none of you will ever be forgotten for all that you did for Dad.

Words cannot fully express the depth of gratitude I feel towards the staff at Villa Marie Claire for the extraordinary care they provided to my beloved husband, Jerry Albanese, during his time in hospice. From the moment he arrived, the entire team showed a level of compassion, professionalism, and kindness that brought me immense comfort during an incredibly difficult time. Each staff member went above and beyond to ensure that Jerry was treated with dignity, respect, and the utmost care. They didn’t just see him as a patient but as the man he was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a cherished grandfather. Their warmth extended to me and our family as well, always offering support, reassurance, and a listening ear when we needed it most. The facility itself felt like a home warm, peaceful, and filled with a sense of comfort that allowed us to focus on what truly mattered: cherishing our final moments together. The medical team was attentive and compassionate, ensuring that Jerry was comfortable and at ease in his final days. Their dedication brought me a sense of peace, knowing he was in the best hands possible. I will forever be grateful for the care, kindness, and love the staff at Villa Marie Claire showed my husband. They gave me the priceless gift of knowing he was not only well cared for but deeply respected and cherished in his final days. For anyone seeking a place where their loved one will be treated with the utmost dignity and compassion, I wholeheartedly recommend Villa Marie Claire. They are truly extraordinary.

Do not like this place, very deceiving, grounds are beautiful. My mom was brought there around Christmas with aspiration pneumonia and on high flow oxygen, able to speak, eat and drink. By the 2nd day she was so drugged with morphine that we could not rouse her. Was told that “this is what we do here” had plenty of arguments with social workers over morphine given, and was told of transitioning and the need for this medication. Mom was also given alprazolam along with morphine. Told staff how horrible she looked and was told there were signs of transtioning. Mom was taken off oxygen at week 4 as she no longer needed it, told she had copd and diagnosis was changed. Was also told how stable her vitals were. Mom repeatedly asked when coherent to get her out of there. I was working on an authorization to have her transferred when I received a call from social worker and nurse wanting to get her out oh there asap and again told that she could pass at any minute. Later in the day my daughter went to visit and mom all of a sudden was having breathing difficulty. Mom was given morphine again. I also visited that day and asked what changed and was given no rational answer. Mom passed 2 days later!! Very fishy what goes on there. I has a gnawing feeling that she was drugged to death!! Do not go there!!

I am beyond disappointed with the treatment of families/patients from this facility. We had put in a request for a family member and while approved they stated her condition is too poor for transportation to the facility. Her condition level is considered “actively dying” hence seeking a hospice facility, and she would require constant care from staff. The cost of her stay would be in full, which is what we believe is the reason she was ultimately not accepted. And their reasoning for said denial was due to poor quality for transportation, even though we have paperwork and verbally communicated that if she passes during transportation it was okay. I can’t even describe how upset I am with this facility that they would turn down a hospice patient whose only dying wish was to not pass in her home. I will NEVER recommend this facility to anyone looking for comfort care of a loved one in their final time.

I cannot begin to describe the beauty of this hospice retreat. The building and the grounds are flawless, but what makes this place extraordinary special are the people who fill every aspect of this establishment. From the environmental staff, to the courtesy desk, the Michelin star chefs, patient aides, nurses and of course, the phenomenal Dr. Vialotti, the care given to the friends and families is only exceeded by the attention given to the patients. A hidden gem, our family will be externally grateful.

Just a very special place. From Dr Charlie and PA Jenna to all the incredible nurses and aides. Everyone who works here is incredible, this place is literally a Masterclass on how to care for a person with dignity and respect during their final days on this Earth. Thank You Villa Marie for taking such special care of my father and our family

My family, friends, and I will forever be grateful to all the staff at Villa Marie Claire. My dear mother spent a month here and was well-cared for throughout. She was stubborn until the end about what she wanted and how but everyone made sure to adhere to her wishes (meds or no meds) until it was clear she wasn’t in her right mind and comfort was chosen above all. Every nurse, aide, environmental service employee, the chefs (Mitch, Matt, and Ty!!), Bob and Rachael, Dr. Vialotti, Andrew and Danny (security), and so many more really made this place feel like my second home as I spent every day, all day here with my mom. Everyone spoke with us, comforted us, fed us, and of course made sure my mom was comfortable and fed. She was able to pass peacefully and I know she would not have had the same caliber of care anyone else. I wouldn’t be at such peace as I am right now. I am full of grief but full of peace because I know I put my mom in the right place with the best people she could’ve been with. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you thank you. I am forever grateful for everyone at VMC.

Hi there. My Dad, Leslie Rothman, passed away at Villa Marie Claire this past Wednesday Oct 30. Dad was admitted to VMC on Tuesday, Oct 29. When I had a chance to visit that afternoon, I was overcome w/ emotion knowing that my Dad was in poor health but also blown away by the beauty of the facility. The lobby reminded me of the Grand Floridian hotel in Disney World! When I sat w/ my Dad, his room was nice, quiet & had a wonderful view. Unfortunately, Dad didn’t have a chance to enjoy it because he was so weak & tired and passed away barely 12 hours after I saw him. I’m thankful for the time I did have w/ Dad while he was still alive @ VMC & gave him as much love & comfort as I possibly could have. I wished I could’ve stayed a little longer, but due to VMC being in a forest with no lighting nearby, I had to leave before it got dark out. If Dad was well enough for me to at least push him around in a wheelchair, I would’ve shown him this amazing place. Everyone I spoke to, including Ms Mary Mandap, was very nice & helpful. I returned to VMC this past Wednesday morning, barely 5 hours after getting the phone call no one wants to hear. My family friends & I were given privacy & all the time we needed to say our goodbyes to Dad. If there is an opportunity for me to return to VMC for a bereavement mass and/or grief counseling, I will definitely consider partaking in that. If you have a family member or loved one in need of hospice care, I would highly, strongly recommend Villa Marie Claire. You & your family will be treated with the dignity & respect you need during a difficult time.

Words can’t adequately describe what a very special place Villa Marie Claire is. From Dr Charlie to the AMAZING nurses to Chef Mitch….everyone was beyond caring. The entire staff helped us get through a very difficult time. We were able to be with our dad and help him pass with dignity and in comfort. We were supported and cared for along side our dad the entire time. We are forever grateful for Villa Marie Claire.

My father spent the last 5 nights of his life here and it was such a gift to our whole family. He was incredibly well cared for by every single person, from the nurses, to the doctor, to the chef. He was able to enjoy the beautiful grounds, and caring environment. The facility was meticulously cared for, as were the patients and families. It’s such a difficult decision to make for a family, but I can’t imagine a better experience in the worst of situations. Our family will be forever grateful for the love and care we all received.

Words cannot fully express the gratitude my family and I feel towards the staff at Villa Marie Claire for the extraordinary care they provided to my grandfather, Jerry Albanese, during his time in hospice. From the moment he arrived, the entire team demonstrated an unparalleled level of compassion, professionalism, and respect that brought us immense comfort in an otherwise difficult time. Each staff member went above and beyond to ensure my grandfather's comfort, dignity, and well-being. They treated him not just as a patient but as a person with a rich history and a loving family. Their kindness extended to us as well, always making time to listen, provide updates, and offer a shoulder to lean on whenever we needed it. The facility itself was warm and welcoming, a true home-like environment that gave us peace of mind knowing that my grandfather was in safe and caring hands. The medical team was attentive and proactive, responding to every need promptly and ensuring that he was as comfortable as possible in his final days. We will forever be grateful for the gentle care and love shown to our beloved grandfather, Jerry Albanese. The staff at Villa Marie Claire gave us the priceless gift of peace during an incredibly emotional time, and for that, we will always be thankful. If you are seeking a place where your loved one will be treated with the utmost care and compassion, I wholeheartedly recommend Villa Marie Claire. They are truly extraordinary.

A beautiful facility with amazing staff. I went to visit my close friend Rosie, who was in hospice and I was amazed at the beauty of the property and level of care. Rosie kept talking about one nurse in particular named Seema who was her favorite. One day while I was there there, Seema Portnov came in the room to take my friend out for some fresh air and I realized then why she was Rosie’s favorite caregiver. Seema really made Rosie feel like she was family and it meant a lot to her. It meant a lot to me too because I realized how difficult a job like that can be and yet, Seema does it with such care and compassion. For anyone who needs to find a hospice, I highly recommend Villa Marie Claire and if you’re lucky enough to meet Seema Portnov, you’ll know you’re in the presence of an angel 😇

I can’t say enough good about this place. My mom is in hospice here as I write this review. Exceptional people, best in class caring. Consider bringing your loved ones here if you ever have the need.

My daughter Jamie was 47years old and she passed away from brain cancer in January 2024. Villa Marie Claire was her home in the last month of her life. She was given God's gift of being taken care of by the nurses , nurses aids who held her hand . Mark would sit with her and talk about old tv shows and movies. The chefs made her whatever she wanted to eat. Her two boys were taken care of 24/7 as well as myself. I never left her bed side and they made me feel like I was never in the way. They made sure I ate. The counselors were always there to make sure my grandsons and I were ok. I had more hugs from everyone there which I desperately needed. The volunteers were so comforting and brought peace to Jamie and myself. Thank you Dr Vialotti for your smiles and help thru our tragic time. My family will never forget all of you at the Villa.

There are not enough stars to give to Dr. Vialotti (Doc), the nurses, the staff, and the facility to do it any justice. There are few places in the world that I refer to as “special” - Villa Marie Claire is one. I was scared to put my mom in inpatient hospice care. I had been through the hospitals with her - the loud noise, the high patient to staff ratios, the cold feel of it all. Villa Marie Claire is the complete opposite. It is a place filled with compassion and serenity. Family can be on property 24/7, and the space is designed beautifully. No one ever wants to go through the hospice process, but there is no better place than Villa Marie Claire when the time comes. A couple of points that you should know: 1) I always wanted my mom to spend her last days at home, as most do… choosing Villa Marie Claire provided her with more comfort and care than we could have ever had at home (even with 24/7 paid care) 2) don’t read the old reviews (5+ years) the facility is brand new and rivals a 5 star hotel. 3) Medicare does cover a significant portion, and be honest with your financial situation when meeting the team, Doc will do everything he can to work with you. Don’t concern yourself with cost until speaking with Villa Marie Claire. 4) the food is AMAZING. If the dining hall was a restaurant in Bergen County it would be packed every night. Chef will make special dishes for your loved one. They also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the family members. This is the longest review I’ve ever written. I hope that it may help you to make a very difficult decision. You’re the best, Doc.

My wife recently passed here. I called on a monday morning and was at the facility that night by 10:PM. Every person there was amazing and caring the whole staff. My wife was in a very sterile and hospital environment they called hospice it was not so. I got to Villa Marie Clare and found a place to make me feel human and treated my wife with respect it was amazing they help you in every way i am so happy to have spent the last days with my wife there. The room was beautiful everything in the whole place was spotless the place let me relax and focus on my wife. My family was also there and we were treated like family every one from the nurses to security the the people that clean the place were beyond amazing. The dinning room was a wow my family was able to have a real home cooked meal that was out of this word it made me cry! I cannot stress how much that this place is magical thats how it felt the world disappeared and i was able to be with my wife till the end they took great care of my wife and me and my family i will forever be grateful for this place. This does not end the counselors there are amazing for the after care they follow up and are very compassionate they do care. On a last note lets talk about the nurses all i can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart they as everyone there are amazing they are on top of there a game i hope to be so lucky in my finale days to spend my last days here with my family! I have already told my daughter if i am to go to hospice this is where i want to go no expectations!!!!! Once you come here you become part of a unique family sad as it is they welcome you back with open arms. Most of there volunteer are people that lost love ones there i do know one day when i can do it i will be back to help those who are going thru a tough time and just be there for them as they were for me. I have to stop now the tears are flowing hard.

My mom's cancer returned so quickly that we could barely think and plan. Having her last days at Villa Marie Claire allowed us to focus on her. They gave us something priceless through their care and support. It's a truly beautiful experience. Thank you.

After we came to the realization that my mom was dying of a rare terminal cancer, we knew that she required a hospice that offered long-term/permanent care. However, our family had no prior experience of going through the hospice system and we were quite trepidatious about making the right decisions for mom. Thankfully, we instantaneously fell in love with Villa Marie Claire upon reading about its reams of on-site resources since its recent reopening post-renovation & expansion. It feels demeaning to call the place a "facility" as Villa Marie Claire feels so much like a home as the entire building is designed to accommodate and care for both the patient AND the family. The fact that my father and I were able to sleep on already provided roll-out beds, take showers, do laundry, and have our three meals of the day provided with no charge truly helped us to stay focused on being present with mom without having to deal with extraneous anxieties. Before her health began to decline, my parents renewed their wedding vows on the bucolic grounds of the Villa in an impromptu ceremony that was put together by the entire staff who decorated the space with balloons and votive candles. The chefs even created a wedding cake for my parents that comported with mom's dietary restrictions! Every single staff member, regardless of their position, demonstrated tremendous acts of love and kindness. It became evermore evident that the staff of the Villa really became an extension of our family when members actively sought out me and my dad to check in on us and see how we are coping. Even after mom passed away last week, the staff are still in active communication with us about how we are doing and are providing us with much counseling opportunities (they continually reinforced that even after we left the Villa, they would always be there to support us on this long and difficult emotional journey). From the bottom of my heart, we are forever grateful for the Villa Marie Claire and would resolutely rely upon its services in the future!

I always thought that the treatment for the sick person is the most important, not realizing how important is the environment and the treatment for the family. Well, Villa Marie Claire is very good place in a very bad situation for you and your family.

The Care at Villa Marie Claire was top notch from beginning to end for our 101 year old mother and mother- in-law. We thank all those we interacted with and made us feel at home during a very difficult time in our lives. Love you all.

We used this facility for hospice for our loved one and the care and compassion by the staff was wonderful. Tracey the liaison was very helpful in our emotional and practical transition to the facility. I would highly recommend this hospice facility for patients and their loved ones.

I lost my mom in 7/1/2018, to pancreatic cancer. I wanted to keep her home to the end, but last few days turned into a real challenge. Hospice nurse (who was an angel on earth) said that we should seek help & she knows the perfect place. I half-halfheartedly followed her advise. We ended up in a place, beyond my imagination. 5 star rehabilitation centers cannot compete with the beauty of this place. People are beyond amazing. They treated mom & us at most respect. They cared about her and us. At one point, we were too crowded. I , my sister, & her family, my son & his wife, friends of mom... They welcomed us all. They said "more the married" . We stayed there, ate there, sit w/mom, laughed, cried.Accessible for 24/7. They provided us home-away-home. They made it easy for us to navigate through our pain, go through all the necessities & they did all with grace & ease. I have visited there twice after my mom died. I am still welcomed . They will be forever in my heart.

My brother was on hospice at home and was taking his medication orally. Two weeks ago he was unresponsive so we took him to this beautiful facility where they could give him his meds thru his veins. Every staff member was incredible. They were so sweet to me and my mom and took such good care of my brother. It is such a peaceful and beautiful place and I will recommend this place to anyone who has a family member on hospice.

Our family is truly grateful for the wonderful care and support my mom received from the dedicated staff, and we are also appreciative and thankful for the support we received too from the nurses, clergy and counselors.

My father was sent here...he was76 years old He was fighting Lymphoma , i say fighting because those were his words. ..yes he was awake and coherent. He had no pain as the radiation treatments he received had alleviated it. I left him in the imc unit at Valley hospital on Monday late afternoon and they were suddenly rushing to move him to this facility. I did not have a say in his care and for that matter he did not either. All decisions were being made in hallways and out of the reach of his amazing hearing. I told him. ..they are moving you today. I wanted him to go home either to his or one of his children's houses. He wanted to go home but that option was not given to him My father did not see the beautiful grounds. ..the matching bedlinens and window treatments. He did not hsve ice cream or the chance to speak to any family. He was not told that a morphine drip was causing hos sleepiness a sleep that he would never wake from and he in a short 8 hours that sleep turned to death. My father who was awake talking eating spaghetti and looking for his remote for the TV just 24 hours before being admitted to this facility did not last even one night. I am a Rn who has more then 25 years working in Sicu/trauma /ER/PACU Was at work when my brother called to say he died. He without pain was placed on morphine The infusion was increased on his arrival As the DON explained his resp rate was 40 when he arrived. He was not given any other fluids or his medications. His resp rate when my brother arrived at 10p just 2 hours after his arrival was not even 6 breaths a minute and yet the morphine drip was not stopped or decreased. My father was unresponsive he could no longer recognize my brother speaking to him..or if he did he could no longer respond. No one asked my father if they could do this drug him into a comatose like state Noone told him that when we left the hospital that this would be his last opportunity to speak to his children. He did not consent and he was unaware.